Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Spoils of War
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“It looks like the first prototype vehicle will go into production early next year.”
A few days later, Vice President Kim, who had visited Daeyoo Truck at my request, reported on the development status of the JLTV.
With the timeline now uncertain, there was no telling when the Iraq War might happen.
All we could do was hurry things along as much as possible.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Not at all. But now that it’s come to this, it’s a bit of a shame. If we had rushed development from the start, it would have been a great help in the war America is about to start.”
No, even if development had been completed, it wouldn't have been used in the upcoming war in Afghanistan.
The need for new weapons is always triggered by a sense of desperation, and the war in Afghanistan would end far too quickly for that desperation to set in.
“You used to ask me who we were going to sell it to, but it seems you’re starting to change your mind.”
“Well, at the time, I didn't know this would happen. But since it’s such an expensive vehicle to produce, I’m worried it might be a burden even for the United States.”
I wasn't worried about that.
The U.S. military, sensitive to the sacrifice of its soldiers, would not hesitate to pour in as much money as needed if it meant minimizing casualties.
My real concern was hoping the timeline for the Iraq War, which I was targeting, wouldn't be moved up too much. But that was up to fate.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Well, if you’re that confident, Mr. Chairman, I’ll have to trust you. Oh, I received a call from Lieutenant General Michael.”
Vice President Kim, who had finished his report and was about to leave, suddenly turned back.
I had been curious about news from that front.
As I looked at him with gleaming eyes, he smiled faintly and spoke.
“The order quantity for the 40mm has skyrocketed. They’re asking for at least 300,000 additional rounds by the middle of next year.”
“Is that so?”
It seemed they were preparing for a long war and stockpiling munitions in anticipation of a full-scale ground invasion.
After all, they had only decided on war; the specific operational direction likely hadn't been set yet.
But did they know?
That the U.S. would end this war in just two months with overwhelming bombing and the help of the Northern Alliance.
The special forces units that were deployed primarily served to support aerial bombardments and assist the Northern Alliance.
In other words, there was a high probability that these ordered items would ultimately become surplus.
“What about the payment?”
But they wouldn't regret it.
Another war would break out in Iraq soon enough, and with a full-scale ground invasion, 300,000 rounds would be nowhere near enough.
“The full payment was wired from the U.S. Department of Defense yesterday. The total amounts to one billion dollars.”
“They must have been in quite a hurry.”
“Given that they’re about to start a war, they had no choice. But that’s not all I have to report.”
“…”
“It seems they’ve also started increasing the production of the smart shells being license-produced in the U.S. Because of that, the licensing fees are scheduled to be paid in advance, and we expect additional orders for military-grade semiconductors for the smart shell sensors and armor-piercing rounds.”
“How much?”
“Including the licensing fees, the total will be around 2.5 billion dollars. I’ll submit a report with the specific details soon for your reference.”
“Well, well… I can see why American defense contractors get so excited about war. I understand. For the time being, tell the relevant departments to keep the production lines running 24/7 in three shifts. Don’t forget to pay them more than usual for overtime. If we’re still short on manpower, you should also consider temporarily reassigning personnel from the high-explosive shell production line.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it immediately. And come to think of it, the number of bulletproof vests being produced locally has already surpassed 300,000. Thanks to that, we expect an additional 400 million dollars in licensing fees around the end of the year.”
It was as if money just flowed in every time he opened his mouth.
And this was all happening when there were only rumors of war.
To think they had produced 300,000 vests in such a short time.
The scale of the United States truly defied imagination.
Then again, they were the ones who churned out battleships like they were baking cookies during World War II.
“Well, I’ll be on my way.”
Having finished his report, Vice President Kim turned to leave, a look on his face as if he were trying to remember if he had forgotten anything.
Once again, I was alone in the office.
Just as I was about to turn on the TV to break the silence and catch up on the situation, Secretary Kim knocked on the door again.
*Knock, knock!*
“Mr. Chairman, CEO Jin Hyun-cheol is here.”
“Oh?”
I hadn't seen him in a while, so I opened the door immediately, pleased to see him.
To my surprise, a woman was standing beside him.
The thought that he had a formal meeting with his future in-laws coming up soon flashed through my mind.
“Tsk, tsk, why do you look like that?”
Hyun-cheol spoke with a look of deep concern, then glanced at the woman standing next to him.
As if on cue, the woman approached me and bowed her head slightly.
“I’m Kim Ah-reum.”
“Ah… yes. Please, come in.”
I stepped back unconsciously, welcoming them inside.
As Hyun-cheol passed by, I grabbed his arm. He grinned and whispered in my ear.
“She’s the second daughter of the Daeyoung Group. My father kept pushing me to meet her, so I went… you know what happened next, right?”
In short, he had gone just to pass the time and ended up falling for her completely.
From the look on his face, he had fallen hard.
Well, I couldn't tell her personality yet, but her elegant appearance was certainly striking enough to catch anyone’s eye.
Still, the Daeyoung Group was one of the top 13 conglomerates in the country. Were our two families really going to be joined by marriage?
“Hyung, could I have a word…?”
I gently pulled him toward the door.
The woman had already taken a seat on the sofa.
After excusing myself, I closed the door and asked Hyun-cheol.
“Are you really thinking of getting married?”
“I’m seriously considering it. That’s why I came to see what you think.”
“…”
“This isn’t just about two people coming together. Her family is a chaebol family too. So I thought I should hear what you, the chairman, think.”
“I don’t mind if you’re happy, but I’m just worried you’re rushing things.”
Hyun-cheol just grinned at my words.
His expression was answer enough.
I finally shrugged, and he patted my back.
“I’m Jin Hyun-seung. I should have visited you first. I apologize.”
“Not at all. I know you’re a very busy man. I’ve heard a lot about you from Hyun-cheol.”
Her voice was quite calm.
Throughout the ensuing conversation, I couldn't find any particular fault with her.
She seemed distinctly different from the other second-generation chaebol heirs, which was a small relief.
Perhaps that was what had attracted Hyun-cheol to her.
“By the way, did Father say anything to you?”
As the conversation was warming up, Hyun-cheol suddenly threw out a cryptic question.
I blinked in confusion, and he continued with a wry smile.
“Tsk, looks like he hasn't told you yet. I think I heard him say he’s planning to arrange a blind date for you soon.”
“…”
My mind went blank at his words.
Marriage, and women.
I had never once considered such things before.
But I was already in my mid-thirties.
The fact that I had aging parents was only now hitting me as a reality.
Damn, this is going to be a hassle.
“He seems to have weakened emotionally since the surgery. Even if you don't want to, I think it would be good to go along with his wishes just this once. And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up like me. Ahem.”
Hyun-cheol glanced to his side and finished with a smile.
He was clearly head over heels.
Just as I nodded with a smile, she—Kim Ah-reum—spoke up.
“Why don’t I set you up with someone?”
“No, I’ll have to decline.”
I expressed my refusal immediately.
Perhaps feeling awkward, she gave a strained smile. Fearing she might misunderstand, I quickly added that I didn't have the time.
*Beep!*
Just then, the intercom buzzed.
Secretary Kim’s voice came through the receiver, reminding me of an upcoming external appointment.
“You’re busy, so we’ll get going.”
Hyun-cheol, looking apologetic for taking up my time, hurried to leave.
Relieved, I immediately stood up. He tapped my shoulder with an awkward expression.
“With all these grim rumors of war, I feel a bit bad about getting married now.”
“Babies are born during wars; there’s no law against getting married. Besides, it’s not like this country is at war, so what’s there to worry about?”
“Thanks for understanding. Anyway, you need to settle down and start a family soon too…”
He kept looking at me with concern.
Well, I had no thoughts of marriage just yet.
But what was this feeling?
It was as if I’d just heard that my own blood brother was getting married.
It seemed I was truly becoming Jin Hyun-seung.
******
[The U.S. government has released the faces of the World Trade Center terrorists today.]
A few days later, the U.S. government released photos of the terrorists.
When I first saw them, I felt as if I’d been struck by lightning, and I stared at the TV for a long time.
“That man…”
It was definitely him.
The same man who had suffered a stomachache on the plane when I was heading to the U.S. to negotiate with NoKid.
Damn, I thought he looked familiar. Was that why?
That distinctive beard shape.
Even before my regression, I remembered being struck by that very beard. It must have been etched in my memory.
‘But it was a direct flight from Korea. What business did a terrorist have in Korea?’
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't understand.
There was no mention of it in the history I knew.
Could it be? To avoid suspicion, he created a layover to pose as a traveler. Something like that.
Or maybe, unlike in the original history, he had worked as a foreign laborer in Korea.
*Pfft.*
As my thoughts strayed, I suddenly recalled an anecdote I heard before I regressed.
A member of an Arab group planning a terrorist attack against our country came in as a foreign laborer, but he was so tormented by the violence and exploitation of a vicious boss that he fled back home without even attempting the attack.
‘Nah, that couldn't be the real reason, could it?’
But I couldn't just laugh it off, because parts of that story about the vicious boss and the terror suspect had been proven to be true.
‘It’s more logical to assume he used it as a layover to disguise himself as a traveler.’
[The United States has begun airstrikes against Afghanistan.]
Two weeks later, as forewarned, the U.S. opened the gates of war on Afghanistan.
The U.S. had fiercely demanded the handover of Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, which the Taliban refused.
Afterward, the U.S. completed the deployment of the USS Enterprise carrier strike group to the Indian Ocean, followed by numerous other naval forces.
[In addition to the nearly 250 carrier-based aircraft, air assets from the 9th Air Force stationed in the Middle East have commenced bombing.]
The American offensive was truly overwhelming.
So much so that the capital, Kabul, fell to the Northern Alliance within a month of the war starting.
Another month later, the Taliban regime collapsed. In truth, it was less a war and more of a one-sided beatdown.
[Thump!]
Occasionally, footage from war correspondents on the ground showed the 40mm grenades we had made and sent in action.
In one scene, special forces deployed to guide airstrikes found themselves unintentionally isolated.
The footage of them breaking through the enemy's assault with 40mm fire to escape felt like watching a movie.
‘It looks like I’ll have to expand the production facilities.’
Watching them fire guided missiles like they were RPGs, it seemed that even a million rounds wouldn't be enough for the upcoming Iraq War.
Moreover, now that they had experienced its performance on the battlefield, they were highly likely to request more in the future. There was no harm in preparing in advance.
‘Who would have thought the 40mm would turn out to be such a cash cow.’
******
[The United States has declared final victory. It was announced that stabilization operations will begin for the foreseeable future…]
Shortly after, the U.S. officially declared an end to the war.
And just like that, it was January 2002.
With the World Cup approaching, the country was busy with preparations for a successful hosting.
‘The World Cup… what a joke.’
Unlike the rest of the bustling world, the World Cup was a distant story to me.
For someone who knew the future, this was the period of greatest opportunity.
With the IT bubble having mostly burst, the war had sent U.S. stock prices plummeting to rock bottom. Now was the time to start scooping them up.
—I’m buying up as much Apple and Amazon.com as I can.
The acquisition of shares in American companies, led by Ryan, was proceeding aggressively.
Although it was far in the future, both Apple and Amazon were companies whose market caps would exceed a trillion dollars.
Therefore, the investment in them was less about immediate profit and more about planting a seed for the future.
[For Qualcomm, the best time to negotiate will probably be after July. Their stock price will have plummeted by 85 percent by then. So, there’s no need to be dragged along by their demands until then.]
—How do you know that?
[I just do.]
—I have no idea what you’re thinking. Alright, don’t worry.
In Qualcomm’s case, I was attempting a full-blown acquisition.
A significant portion of my personal funds had been transferred for this purpose, and some of the fund’s capital was also slated to be used.
“We’ve arrived, Mr. Chairman.”
My main schedule for today was to inspect the newly acquired Daeyoo Shipbuilding.
After sitting for nearly six hours, every joint in my body ached.
“Welcome, sir.”
The executives of Daeyoo Shipbuilding, who had been notified in advance, rushed over as I got out of the car.
At my request to see the site first, they led me to a dock where enormous ships were being assembled.
But perhaps instinct is impossible to suppress.
My attention was immediately drawn to finding a space suitable for building the warships we were about to start on.
‘Will they build it in that closed-type dock over there? Wait, that space is perfect for building submarines. Speaking of which, the Jang Bogo-class submarines born here achieved tremendous results at RIMPAC.’
As I looked around, that thought suddenly came to me.
The RIMPAC incidents, where a submarine of merely 1,200 tons shocked the world.
Thinking about it, I couldn't help but feel that we were truly a remarkable people.
‘Well, it’s not that hard to understand. The submarine crews in our country are composed of the most elite naval officers. I mean, they’re world-class even in the notoriously difficult ‘Mental Gym’ training and tests.’
‘Mental Gym’ was a training and examination exclusively for submarine officers.
It was a skill that involved mentally calculating a target's course, distance, and speed based solely on the noise, bearing, and volume detected by sonar.
Our navy was at the world's highest level in that field, which perhaps explained their performance at RIMPAC.
“As you all know, the project to build a Korean-style Aegis-equipped destroyer, for which the military has confirmed its requirement, will soon begin.”
Following the site inspection, I entered the conference room and addressed the key executives of Daeyoo Shipbuilding gathered there, mentioning the upcoming destroyer project.
Perhaps because I had brought up such a heavy topic on my very first visit, they all stared at me with wide eyes.
“You’re going to push forward with the project right away?”
“There’s no reason to delay a project for which the requirement has already been confirmed. The problem is time. As you know, building a single destroyer takes at least six years from the design phase. However, I plan to shorten that time to three years.”
“But how on earth… A warship is different from a merchant vessel. From the combat system to the weaponry, don’t you know there are countless things to incorporate?”
A murmur went through the room.
I extended my hand toward Secretary Kim, who was standing beside me. She took a hard drive out of the bag she was holding.
*Click!*
After connecting it to the computer in the conference room, Secretary Kim quickly launched a program.
The executives, who had been watching with puzzled expressions, their eyes widened as a set of blueprints suddenly appeared on the screen.
“What… what is this?”